Awning-edge-holding device



F. C. STECKER, C.'L. SCHWEINFURTH AND E. F. STECKER.

AWNING EDGE HOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2.1918.

1,326,801. Patented Dec. 30,1919.

affazhcqg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FBEDRICK G. STECKER, 0F NEENAI-I, CHARLES L. SCHWEINFURTH, OF MILWAUKEE, AND EDMUND F. S'IEGKER, OEMENASHA, WISCONSIN.

AWNING-EDGE-I-IOLDING DEVICE.

Application filed July 2, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDRIOK C. STEGKER, CHARLES L. Scnwnmronrn and EDMUND F. STEOKER, citizens of the Uhited States, residing at Neenah, Winnebago county, Milwaukee, Milwaukee county, and Menasha, Winnebago county, State of Wisconsin, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Awning- Edge-Holding Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a device for holding the over-lapping edge of an awning and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple attachment adapted to be applied to the conventional type of awning which will hold the overlapping edge thereof so that the same will always be positioned substantially vertically, and will not blow upover the top of the awning or get in any position which will prevent the reading of the side lettering that is usually positioned on that portion of the awning. The device is intended to keep lettering in plain sight no matter whether the awning is drawn up or whether it is hanging down over the walk.

Another object of the invention is to providein a device a slidable connectin means between the overlapping awning e ge and holding means, which w1ll prevent the edge of the awning from being torn when the same contracts after beingwet, and allows the said edge to slide vertically thereby overcoming any likelihood of the edge becoming torn but securely connecting the same to the holding means. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efficient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, our invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be herein'referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of an awnin% showing the attachment in position,

ig. 2 is a perspective view with parts of thedevice detached,

Fig. 3 isa detail perspective viewshow- Specification of Letters Patent.

. cured to the wall or front of a store.

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

Serial No. 243,084.

ing a slightly different type of connecting means, and

Fig. 4c is a front elevation showing the lower portion of the arm and the connect ing strip.

In describing our invention, we shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The device is adapted to be applied to the conventional type of awning said awning being designated by the numeral 1 and being supported on a frame 2 that is pivotally mounted as shown at .3 on a support 4 se- This type of awning is of the conventional construction, is provided with a cross bar designated by the numeral 5, and usually formed of a wooden strip or an iron rod. This device is adapted to be applied to either type. The awning in this construction is wound on a drum 6 so that it may be raised to the various positions illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings. This type of awning is provided with an overlapping edge 7 that extends over the cross bar 5 of the supporting frame and said overlapping edge generally has upon its outer face sign lettering designating the name of the store, or containing some advertising matter. In devices of this character this overlapping edge frequently was blown up over the top or into such a position that it was impossible to read the advertising or lettering, and hence the benefit of the same was lost. Our device is designed to hold this overlapping edge substantially vertically so that the lettering will always be in plain sight.

Any number of these devices for supporting the edge may be employed accordingto the size of the awning but as they -are*sub stantially alike, for the sake of brevity, we will only specifically describe one of; the same. The supporting device is connected with the crossbar 5 of the awning supporting frame by a block 8 that is connected with the edge face thereof when the cross bar 5 is formed of wood, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, but where an iron rod is employed this block is constructed slightly different and will be provided with upwardly projecting arms 9 which ex tend upon opposite sides of the cross bar as shown. in'Fig. 3. One'of the arms carries a set screw 10 projecting therethrough and adapted for engagement with the rod to securely hold the supporting device in position. I

The lower face of the block 8 is provided with a pair of spaced depending ears 11 and in the form shown in Fig. 2 the front portion. thereof has a projecting arcuate lip '12 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. r'idapted to be pivotally mounted between the depending ears 11 is a swinging arm 13 provided at its upper end with an enlarged portion 15 pivotally mounted between the cars 11. The arm 13 shown in Fig. 2 is cut to provide an abutment shoulder 16 to be engaged by the lip 12 of the block 8 when the awning frame is lowered, hence, preventing the arm from swinging outwardly beyond the outer edge thereof. The limiting means holds the overlapping edge Vertically when the awning is lowered. In the form shown in Fig. 3 the arm 13 is provided with an extension forming a finger 13 which engages the block 8 between the cars 11 for the same purpose.

The lower end of the arm 13 is provided with a forwardly extending lip 15 that is provided with an opening therethrough, and said lower portion of the arm 13 is enlarged as shown at 16 to form sto shoulders 17 on the side edges thereof a jacent the bottom of said arm. Slidably mounted on the arm through the opening in the lip 15 is a connecting strip 18 which has on its upper portion an enlarged loop 19 provided with an off-set upper end 20 adapted to be positioned around the arm 13 as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and limited in downward movement by engagement with the abutment 17. The lower portion of the strip 18 that extends through. the lip is adapted to be connected with the overlapping edge of the awning. The strip 18 being vertically adjustable by sliding on the arm 13 permits the edge of the awning to be slidably connected with the holding means.

In operation, when this device is applied to the cross bar of the awning supporting frame as clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings, it is obvious that as the supportingarm 13 is swingingly engaged with the lower edge of the supporting frame the sup porting frame will hang in the suspended position no matter in what position the awning may be placed. Several positions of the awning are clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be noted that the free end portion thereof remains in a substantially vertical position, so that the lettering on its outer face is always in plain view. The parts of this device are preferably formed of metal, and consequently the weight of the depending arm will be sufficient to hold the overlapping edge of the awning and prevent its slidable adjustment between the edge of the awning and the arm allow the said edge to be vertically adjusted on the arm, and hence sufficient play is permitted to prevent any chance of the edge becoming torn, but said edge is secured to the arm for the ordinary functioning hereinbefore described.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that a clear and compre hensive understanding of the construction, operation, and advantages of our invention may be had, and while we have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, we desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination with an awning having a frame including a cross bar and a cur tain having a free end portion overlapping the cross bar, of a depending arm pivotally connected with the cross bar for swinging movement transversely of the cross bar and limited in its swinging movement, and a .plate slidably mounted upon the arm and connected with the overlapping free end portion of the curtain in order to at all times retain the overlapping end portion of the curtain in a substantially vertical position.

2. The combination with an awning having a frame including a cross bar and a curtain having a free end portion overlapping the cross bar. of a depending arm hingedly connected with the cross bar for swinging movement transversely of the cross bar, the arm having its lower end portion enlarged to provide stop shoulders and havin its free end portion slotted and provide with a forwardly projected lip having the slot formed therein, and a plate slidably passing through the slotted lip and having its lower end portion connected with the free end portion of the curtain, the upan arm hingedly connected with the cross bar for swinging movement transversely of the cross bar, and a curtain engaging element slidably mounted upon the arm for limited sliding movement and having engagement with the free end portion of the curtain.

4. The combination with an awning having a frame including a cross bar and a curtain having its free end portion overlapping the cross loar, of a depending arm hingedly connected with the cross bar for swinging movement transversely of the cross bar, and

means carried by the depending arm for connection with the overlapping end portion of the curtain whereby the free end portion of the curtain will be at all times retained in a substantially vertical position and permitted of limited movementindependent of the arm.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures hereto.

FREDR-ICK C. STECKER. CHARLES L. SCHXVEINFURTH. EDMUND F. STEGKE-R. 

